A new set of optional rules have been released aimed at making energy and water statements simpler to decipher, after consumer complaints that many statements were overly complicated.

The new recommendations, prepared by the British Standards Institution (BSI), include requirements like making it obvious precisely how much a consumer needs to pay, and over how long the charges have been applied.

As well as pertaining to energy bills, the procedures are also appropriate for cellphone and internet bills according to BSI.

The rules are completely voluntary, but energy minister Malcolm Wicks said that taking on the guidelines would result in ’substantial benefits’ to both business and the customer by simplifying the billing process.

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